CHICAGO (December 1, 2005) His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, today named Fr. George J. Rassas, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago, as a new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese.

At a news conference today, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, announced the appointment of Fr. Rassas as new bishop-elect.

When Fr. Rassas is ordained as bishop, he will enter the ranks of those who are successors of the apostles in the Church. At his ordination, which is scheduled for February 2, 2006, he will receive the office of teaching, governing and sanctifying as a bishop. He will exercise his ministry in union with the Pope and his fellow bishops throughout the world.

Bishop-Elect Rassas will hold the title of auxiliary bishop, meaning he will assist Cardinal George in the pastoral administration of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Cardinal George has not decided on the specific appointments of the new bishop-designate, but will make an announcement after consultation with the other auxiliary bishops.

Ordained a priest in 1968, Fr. Rassas, 62, is a native of Baltimore who was raised in Winnetka and attended Saints Faith Hope and Charity grammar school, Quigley North High School, Niles College and Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary before being ordained. He has served as an associate pastor at Queen of the Rosary Parish, Elk Grove Village; St. Genevieve Parish, Chicago; St. Norbert’s Parish, Northbrook; Sacred Heart Parish, Winnetka; and pastor at St. Mary’s Parish, Lake Forest, before being named Vicar General in November 2004.

In addition to his service in the parishes, Fr. Rassas has held many key posts in the Archdiocese. He presently serves on the Archdiocese’s Board of Consultors, the Finance Council and the Comprehensive Archdiocesan Planning Committee. He also is on the Board of Advisors at Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein. Fr. Rassas had previously been Chairman of the Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council; Director of the Office of Family Ministries; and Associate Director of the Catholic Family Consultation Service and Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women.

His academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Loyola University, Chicago. He participated in a doctor of ministry program at Saint Mary of the Lake. Fr. Rassas’ commitment to education also includes his service as founding board member and chairman of the recently established St. Martin de Porres High School in Waukegan.

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